KEENE, Calif. – President Barack Obama dedicated the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument here on Monday, a move just four weeks before the election that appeals to Latino voters who could be decisive in a several battleground states.

The dedication took place in a state that will swing solidly for Mr. Obama on Election Day, but the monument honoring the founder of the United Farm Workers will have widespread appeal.

“Today we celebrate Cesar Chavez,” said Mr. Obama, who took the stage to chants of “Si se puede.” “Our world is a better place because Cesar Chavez decided to change it. Let us honor his memory but most importantly let’s live up to his example.”

Mr. Obama spoke of Mr. Chavez in a way that connected the labor leader to his campaign trail message. Mr. Chavez, he said, would be the first to say the national monument that bears his name is not “to one man,” but rather to a movement.

“Cesar didn’t believe in helping those who refuse to help themselves,” Mr. Obama said, but he did believe in the basic rights of people who are working hard.

The president used part of his speech to pitch his economic message, telling the crowd, “We are making progress.”

While Mr. Obama leads Mr. Romney in support among Latino voters, turnout will be key on Nov. 6. The Chavez monument, established on the property known as La Paz, which served as the national headquarters of the UFW, could help energize those voters.

White House press secretary Jay Carney stressed that the monument designation was in the works for years.

Before delivering remarks to a largely Latino audience, Mr. Obama placed a red rose on Mr. Chavez’s gravesite, which he visited with Mr. Chavez’s wife, Helen, and son Paul.

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